'For the person or persons that hold dominion, can no more combine with the keeping up of majesty the running with harlots drunk or naked about the streets, or the performances of a stage player, or the open violation or contempt of laws passed by themselves than they can combine existence with non-existence'.

- Benedict de Spinoza. Political Treatise. 1677.




Tuesday, August 11, 2009

on certainty 102


102. Might I not believe that once, without knowing it perhaps in a state of unconsciousness, I was taken far away from the earth – that other people even know this, but do not mention it to me? But this would not fit into the rest of my convictions at all. Not that I could describe the system of these convictions. Yet my convictions do form a system, a structure.



if your convictions form a system –

and this system can’t be described –

what value does the term ‘system’ have?          

and if what determines your convictions –

is a system –

and ‘system’ here is without determination –

what determines your convictions?

and if your ‘convictions’ are not determined –
                                                                                                                                      
how can you speak of convictions?

the good news is –

if you want to believe –

you were taken far away from the earth –

that other people even know this –

but do not mention it to you –

the way is clear


© greg t. charlton. 2009.